Another Wednesday, that means it must be Ohtani on the bump day.
Just a few weeks ago people were wringing their hands about Shohei Ohtani being stellar on the mound, but putrid at the plate. Well, the two-way superstar has definitely turned things around with his bat.
In Tuesday night’s game, his first two at bats were a double and a triple. His reappearance of his old self at the plate came into play later, when he was intentionally walked in the seventh inning – which is the first time in 26 games that he had been walked intentionally. He later came around to score what would be the winning run. In his last five games, Ohtani is 11-for-22 with a homer, a triple, and two doubles.
On the pitching side, Ohtani sits at 5-2 with a 0.82 ERA. Despite tossing six no-hit innings last week against the Colorado Rockies, Shohei didn’t actually have one of his best outings. He had a season low 56% strike rate and walked a season high four batters. He stated after the game he “just really couldn’t find it”.
Only seven current Diamondback players have faced Ohtani before, and all combined have 21 at bats against, with no homers and no RBI amongst them.
The Dodgers will face Zac Gallen, whom they have seen plenty of times. Gallen has been much better at home so far this season, going 3-1 with a 3.09 ERA as opposed to a 7.57 ERA on the road. The Dodgers did see him to start the season where they tagged him for four runs, but not until the fifth inning, which included a three-run homer off the bat of Andy Pages.
The Diamondback have been tough so far this series, with Arizona taking the first game 4-1, and almost completing a comeback, losing 6-5 in Tuesday’s game.
In that game, five relievers were needed to hold on to that win. Ohtani would do well to go deep into the game, at least the six he usually goes. Gallen is one of the weaker pitchers in the Diamondbacks arsenal, and Dodgers have done really well against right handers this season. Ohtani last pitched at Chase Field last September, where he went six scoreless innings with eight strikeouts.
Jun 3, 2026; St. Petersburg, Florida, USA; Detroit Tigers shortstop Kevin McGonigle (7) celebrates with first baseman Spencer Torkelson (20) after scoring a run in the third inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images | Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images
The Tigers did the seemingly impossible on Wednesday afternoon as they wrapped up their series against the American League’s top team with a sweep, winning 7-2.
I’d be very curious to know if someone in the Tigers’ front office has promised their firstborn child to an Etsy witch, or something, because I don’t know who the June Tigers are, but they are not the same team that dragged their feet and bats through the whole month of May. I am not complaining, because if there’s one thing I love, it’s fun (and winning) baseball. The Tigers had already won the series heading into the Wednesday afternoon game, but they were hoping to come away with their first sweep in, like, a million years. To get there, they had Troy Melton on the mound, up against Nick Martinez for the Rays.
Gleyber Torres got things going in the first with a leadoff double. A Kevin McGonigle flyout advanced the runner to third, and then a Dillon Dingler single brought Torres home for the first run of the game.
With two outs, Riley Greene singled, but the Tigers weren’t able to convert another runner for the inning. In the home half, Junior Caminero got a one-out single, followed by a Jonathan Aranda walk. Yandy Diaz then singled, bringing in Caminero and tying the game. They’d have to settle for just the one run, but it was the first time the entire series they weren’t trailing the Tigers.
The second inning started with two outs, but Jake Rogers then hit a solo home run to left to push the Tigers back into the lead.
Cedric Mullins fought back in the bottom of the inning with a leadoff home run to re-tie the game. Nick Fortes then followed that with a single, but the Rays weren’t able to convert another baserunner.
Kevin McGonigle got the third started with a single. With one out, Kerry Carpenter singled into center, the ball deflected off the glove of Chandler Simpson. Riley Greene walked, and then a Spencer Torkelson sac fly brought McGonigle home.
In the home half, Aranda used the ABS to get himself a leadoff walk, but Yandy Diaz then grounded into a double play. That made things a fair bit easier for Melton to get out of the inning.
Matt Vierling started the fourth with a single, then advanced to second on a sac bunt from Rogers. Gleyber Torres then singled. With two outs, Dillon Dingler hit a three-run home run to push the Tigers into the lead by a wide margin.
The Rays did little to fight back in the bottom of the inning as they went 1-2-3 back to the dugout.
Martinez’s day was done as the game headed into the fifth, and he was replaced by Mason Englert. Greene got a leadoff single, but was then eliminated in a double play off the bat of Torkelson. A pop-out ended the inning. In the home half, the Rays once again went three-up, three-down.
In the sixth, Jake Rogers got a one-out single. A wild pitch from Englert allowed Rogers to advance to second. Two outs followed though, leaving the baserunner stranded. The Rays had another 1-2-3 inning.
Dingler got a free bag in the seventh after getting hit by a pitch. That’s certainly one way to keep him from hitting home runs. Carpenter grounded into a force out to eliminate Dingler. Then, with two outs, another wild pitch by Englert allowed Carpenter to advance to second, but the Tigers left another runner stranded. Bold of them to think a four-run lead is enough considering history. The Rays, however, didn’t do much to stage a comeback in the bottom of the inning, as they were set down in order.
The Tigers went 1-2-3 in the eighth. Melton was back out again for the home half, and despite extra effort to get through the first innings, he was looking dialled in and relaxed. He plowed through the side like he was just coming into the game. Just awesome stuff.
Torres started the top of the ninth with a single, continuing to swing a hot bat since his return. McGonigle doubled right behind him, pushing Torres to third. Dingler lined out directly to Caminero on third but Torres was lightning fast getting back, making sure he avoided the double play. A sac fly from Carpenter brought Torres home. Melton was done after eight, with a final line of 8.0 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 5 K, 1 HR on 94 pitches. Drew Anderson came out of the pen to replace him. Anderson got the side out in order, and the Tigers walked away with a sweep.
CLEVELAND, OH - JUNE 08: Andre Iguodala #9, Klay Thompson #11, Stephen Curry #30, Draymond Green #23 and Kevin Durant #35 of the Golden State Warriors celebrate after defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers during Game Four of the 2018 NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena on June 8, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Warriors defeated the Cavaliers 108-85 to win the 2018 NBA Finals. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The 2026 NBA Finals tip off Wednesday night with the San Antonio Spurs hosting the New York Knicks at 5:30 p.m. PT. Regardless of who ultimately lifts the Larry O’Brien Trophy, this year’s Finals will extend a historic streak that underscores the parity across today’s NBA.
With the Spurs and Knicks meeting on the league’s biggest stage, the NBA is guaranteed to crown a different champion for the eighth consecutive season, marking the longest such streak in league history.
The NBA will have a different champion for the eighth straight season, extending the longest such streak in league history.
The last team to successfully repeat? The Golden State Warriors, who captured back-to-back championships in 2017 and 2018 during the height of the franchise’s dynasty.
Since then, every reigning champion has fallen short of defending its title the following season, a testament to how difficult sustained success has become in the modern NBA.
The defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder nearly had an opportunity to end that streak this year after another dominant regular season. However, injuries eventually took their toll in the playoffs, and Oklahoma City finished just one Game 7 victory against the Spurs in the Western Conference Finals away from earning another chance to repeat.
As the league prepares to crown yet another new champion, it’s hard not to look back at the Warriors’ dynasty with a greater appreciation. Golden State reached five consecutive NBA Finals from 2015-2019 and won three championships along the way, a run that feels even more impressive in today’s parity-driven NBA.
On this day in 2018, Stephen Curry made NINE 3-pt FG in Game 2 of the 2018 NBA Finals against the Cavaliers, breaking Ray Allen's record for 3-pt FG in a Finals game 🔥 pic.twitter.com/6Zitf5w8T2
This series, however, is about more than deciding a champion. It’s about one team exorcising decades of despair and the other introducing a monster capable of terrorizing the league for many years.
The marquee is appealing, the lights are bright and eyeballs will be plentiful. These Finals bring the kind of spectator nirvana not seen since 2016, when Curry and Warriors – after coming back to eliminate Durant and Thunder in the conference finals– took a 3-1 lead over James and the Cavs, only to fall in seven.
May we get seven games in these Finals. No doubt the NBA wants it. And why wouldn’t its fans?
Scout’s take: Burries drew comparisons to another combo guard who excelled in analytical models before the draft (and since): Golden State Warriors guard Brandin Podziemski. It’s an ironic comparison because they could be teammates in Golden State, which has the 11th pick in the draft.
“He’s maybe a bit less scrappy,” one executive said, “but he’s got more off the bounce than Podz.”
Some question whether Burries’ production can scale up offensively. If that happens, he could be compared to White or potentially Jamal Murray. — Bontemps
Draymond on what's important for the Knicks in their defense of Victor Wembanyama
“What's very important when trying to guard Victor Wembanyama is your point of attack defender and that'll probably be OG Anunoby… When Victor Wembanyama's in the paint, he's probably the most… pic.twitter.com/Wpz8cmHx8C
— The Draymond Green Show (@DraymondShow) June 3, 2026
The Thunder’s team salary was a manageable $186.7 million this season, 15th in the NBA and below the tax line for the sixth consecutive season. Next season, prior to the draft, free agency and their various team option choices, the Thunder’s salary is projected at a whopping $250.5 million, well past the projected second apron, which would trigger a more than $200 million tax bill.
League insiders are not predicting the prudent Presti will make any panic moves because of a coin flip seven-game series loss to the Spurs. But many league executives have been wondering aloud for months whether the Thunder’s shifting financials could lead to a slashing and market availability of some of their coveted role players, especially given the cache of draft picks and young players Presti has accumulated to replace them if needed.
“There can’t be room for everybody,” one East executive said.
Two storied franchises, out to write new chapters in their history. Check out the full official schedule of the NBA Finals before the action gets underway tomorrow!
Li-Ning shoes are known in the basketball world for having exceptional support and comfort, which no doubt factored into the decision for Curry, who has dealt with ankle issues for his entire career. Critically, the company is also endorsed by Curry’s friend and teammate Jimmy Butler III, which no doubt played a role (and hopefully the company is giving Butler a nice little reward for that).
Follow@unstoppablebaby on X for all the latest news on the Golden State Warriors.
Jun 3, 2026; St. Petersburg, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Ben Williamson (15) fields a ground ball in the fifth inning against the Detroit Tigers at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images | Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images
After so much time spent winning to start the season, defying expectations and climbing to the top of the American League, it’s safe to say no one had “lose a whole series to the worst team in the league” on their June bingo card. Yet the Rays have struggled consistently against the Tigers in this series, either forcing them to claw back runs to almost tie up a game, or to go completely shut-out against one of Detroit’s most inconsistent pitchers. It’s The Outer Limits. It’s Weird Baseball. And frankly, we don’t want it to continue. The Rays were just hoping to come away with a win in the series heading into Wednesday afternoon’s game, and they were doing it with Nick Martinez on the mound, up against a recently returned from the IL Troy Melton for the Tigers.
Gleyber Torres got things going in the first with a leadoff double. A Kevin McGonigle flyout advanced the runner to third, and then a Dillon Dingler single brought Torres home for the first run of the game. With two outs, Riley Greene singled, but the Tigers weren’t able to convert another runner for the inning. In the home half, Junior Caminero got a one-out single, followed by a Jonathan Aranda walk. Yandy Diaz then singled, bringing in Caminero and tying the game. They’d have to settle for just the one run, but it was the first time the entire series they weren’t trailing the Tigers.
The second inning started with two outs, but Jake Rogers then hit a solo home run to left to push the Tigers back into the lead. Cedric Mullins fought back in the bottom of the inning with a leadoff home run to re-tie the game. Nick Fortes then followed that with a single, but the Rays weren’t able to convert another baserunner.
Kevin McGonigle got the third started with a single. With one out, Kerry Carpenter singled into center, the ball deflected off the glove of Chandler Simpson. Riley Greene walked, and then a Spencer Torkelson sac fly brought McGonigle home. In the home half, Aranda used the ABS to get himself a leadoff walk, but Yandy Diaz then grounded into a double play. That made things a fair bit easier for Melton to get out of the inning.
Matt Vierling started the fourth with a single, then advanced to second on a sac bunt from Rogers. Gleyber Torres then singled. With two outs, Dillon Dingler hit a three-run home run to push the Tigers into the lead by a wide margin. The Rays did little to fight back in the bottom of the inning as they went 1-2-3 back to the dugout.
Martinez’s day was done after four, and he was replaced by Mason Englert. His final line for the game was 4.0 IP, 9 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 1 BB, 1 K, 2 HR on 5o pitches. A really rough start. Those numbers pretty much tell you the whole story, as does the short leash Kevin Cash used before pulling him. Greene got a leadoff single, but was then eliminated in a double play off the bat of Torkelson. A pop-out ended the inning. In the home half, the Rays once again went three-up, three-down.
In the sixth, Jake Rogers got a one-out single. A wild pitch from Englert allowed Rogers to advance to second. Two outs followed though, leaving the baserunner stranded. The Rays had another 1-2-3 inning.
Dingler got a free bag in the seventh after getting hit by a pitch. That’s certainly one way to keep him from hitting home runs. Carpenter grounded into a force out to eliminate Dingler. Then, with two outs, another wild pitch by Englert allowed Carpenter to advance to second, but the Tigers left another runner stranded. Bold of them to think a four-run lead is enough considering history. The Rays, however, didn’t do much to stage a comeback in the bottom of the inning, as they were set down in order.
In the eighth, the Rays got the Tigers out in order, which was a rare treat in this game. Unfortunately they did the same thing themselves in the bottom of the inning. Hard to make a comeback when you can’t even get a baserunner on.
Torres started the top of the ninth with a single, continuing his hot streak in his first series back from the IL. McGonigle doubled right behind him, pushing Torres to third. Dingler lined out directly to Caminero on third but Torres snuck back, narrowly avoiding the double play. A sac fly from Carpenter brought Torres home. The Tigers would have to settle for one, but it was another run the Rays would have to try to get back. Melton was done after eight, and Drew Anderson came out of the pen to replace him. Anderson got the side out in order, and the Tigers walked away with a sweep, while the Rays would have to ask themselves some difficult questions.
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - MAY 07: Rhett Lowder #25 of the Cincinnati Reds delivers a pitch against the Chicago Cubs during the fourth inning at Wrigley Field on May 07, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Rhett Lowder took the mound in a professional baseball game on Tuesday night for the first time in nearly a month. What he produced didn’t matter nearly as much as how he felt after getting in the work with AAA Louisville, and apparently he’s feeling just fine.
According to MLB.com’s Mark Sheldon, Lowder came out of his 5.0 IP outing against the Memphis Redbirds feeling as he was supposed to feel as a starting pitcher, and will rejoin the Cincinnati Reds to make a start on Sunday when the team is in St. Louis facing the Cardinals. So said manager Terry Francona, per Sheldon.
Lowder yielded a trio of runs in his rehab outing, but he threw 70 pitches, logged 8 strikeouts, and didn’t walk a soul in an outing more reminiscent of him at his finest.
What we’ll be anxious to see now, though, is just how much the ‘clicking’ in his shoulder that shut him down early in a May 7th start against the Chicago Cubs was something that caused him to stumble a bit against big league pitching prior to hitting the shelf. Between that start and his previous one – a brutal 1.1 IP outing against the Pittsburgh Pirates in which he was hammered for 8 ER while walking the world – he allowed a whopping 11 ER and 8 walks against just 2 K in 4.1 IP combined.
In part due to Lowder’s scheduled return, Chris Paddack has seemingly been bumped from the starting rotation for the time being. He’ll be available in relief in the meantime, though it remains to be seen what kind of role he’ll have when Lowder is activated in time for Sunday’s game.
MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE - MARCH 20: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics shoes in warm ups against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum on March 20, 2026 in Memphis, Tennessee. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Matthew A. Smith/Getty Images) | Getty Images
An arbitrator ruled last month that NBA free agent Terry Rozier violated his player's contract and will forfeit his 2025-26 season salary of $26.6 million after being indicted for his role in a sports gambling scandal.
According to court documents obtained by USA TODAY Sports, an arbitrator said Rozier should not be paid. The guard did not play for the Miami Heat during the 2025-26 season, and as a condition of his bond after his October arrest, he was not allowed to travel with the team or contact the Heat or the Charlotte Hornets, for whom he played when the alleged scheme took place.
The arbitrator's ruling was included in documents filed in the Eastern District of New York in connection with Rozier's motion to modify the conditions of pretrial release. He was arrested in October and charged with wire fraud conspiracy and money laundering conspiracy.
Rozier was put on immediate leave by the NBA after being accused in a wide-ranging illegal gambling scheme that includes ties to organized crime and involves more than 30 individuals. Federal authorities allege in court documents that Rozier provided insider information that gamblers used to place wagers on the Los Angeles Lakers, Trail Blazers, Charlotte Hornets, Orlando Magic and Toronto Raptors over the span of a year. The National Basketball Players Association filed a grievance on his behalf, and an arbitrator originally ruled that Rozier should be paid his full salary while on leave.
Rozier allegedly schemed to leave early during a March 23, 2023 game against the New Orleans Pelicans due to a foot injury. Rozier played less than 10 minutes in the game and did not return, finishing with five points and two assists. The accusation is that Rozier told co-defendant Deniro Laster he would leave the game early, and that information was sold to others, who made the "under" bets.
Rozier, who is free on a $3 million bond, is due back in a Brooklyn federal courthouse on June 10 to face additional charges of sports bribery and honest services fraud for that March 2023 game.
Sportsnet insider Elliotte Friedman mentioned on his podcast, 32 Thoughts, that Florida Panthers winger A.J. Greer will likely test the free agent market this off-season.
It’s a wise decision for the 29-year-old, who is coming off a career season in an elevated role with a rising salary cap. In 2025-26, Greer posted 17 goals and 15 assists for 32 points in 78 games.
With his physical nature, scoring touch around the net, and experience helping the Panthers win the Stanley Cup during the 2024-25 season, Greer could be in line for a major payday.
With all that being considered, today we are going to look at three teams that could sign Greer this off-season.
New Jersey Devils
The New Jersey Devils missed out on the playoffs again last season, largely due to the fact that they couldn’t produce enough offense when Jack Hughes went down with an injury.
The Devils need to get stronger and more difficult to play against in their bottom six, and the addition of Greer would do so.
The Devils received fairly strong depth scoring from players like Connor Brown, Cody Glass, and Arseny Gritsyuk, but it simply wasn’t enough to change the fortunes of the Devils. If Greer replicates his production, he could be a game-changer for the Devils.
Few teams are as familiar with Greer as the Edmonton Oilers are. Facing off in the finals, Greer was a thorn in the side of every Oilers player he came across.
The Oilers are a match for Greer because he provides all the elements they are missing and that they were hoping to receive from Trent Frederic. The Oilers want players who play physically, hunt down pucks on the forecheck, and can also provide depth scoring in a third- or fourth-line role.
Greer has done so with Florida, and out West in the Pacific Division, there are plenty of reasons to believe he can do so with the Oilers.
Dubas and the Pens had plenty of success finding players similar to Greer last season and getting the best out of them. Could Greer be the next case of the Penguins doing so?
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The NBA Finals is here and for the next one to two weeks, we're going to party like it's 1999, which was the last time the Knicks made the Finals. Make sure to follow on X for more picks @VmoneySports. All odds are courtesy of DraftKings. Best of luck!
Knicks vs Spurs (-4.5): O/U 217.5
Game 1's are usually for the underdogs in the first three rounds of the playoffs, but in the NBA Finals, the favorites have gone 10-2 on the ML and 9-3 ATS in the last 12 Game 1's. Yet, I am going to ride with a well-rested New York Knicks squad.
The Knicks did have the luxury of playing two teams, the Cavaliers and 76ers after they had seven-game series. New York was able to wear them both down and sweep after winning the final three games of the first round series against Atlanta (4-2).
San Antonio on the other hand played five, six, and seven game series versus Portland, Minnesota, and Oklahoma City. The Spurs have played 18 games this postseason to the Knicks 14, which can come in handy for the underdogs.
New York is the hotter team with 11-straight wins and are rested with nine days off. However, most people would agree San Antonio is the better team and has the best player in the series, Victor Wembanyama. The Knicks have a lot working for them ranging from the regular season success guarding Wembanyama to the rest advantage to the age gap between the two teams. Everyone will play the Spurs after they knocked off presumably the best or second-best team in the NBA (Thunder).
I will ride with the Knicks for Game 1 at +160 on the ML. Over the last 11 seasons, teams that win outright in the NBA Finals also cover 95.4% of the time (62-3-3 ATS), so if you like the Knicks, might as well take the ML for +160 rather than the +4.5 at -110 odds.
Pick: Knicks ML (1 unit)
De’Aaron Fox O/U 9.5 Rebounds and Assists
Versus Oklahoma City, De'Aaron Fox averaged 6.2 assists and 5.2 rebounds for 11.4 total rebounds and assists per game. For his rebound and assist chances, Fox averaged 11.4 potential assists and 10.0 rebound chances per game.
Fox started hot going 4-0 to the Over on his rebounds and assists prop, but he went way Under in Game 7 at Oklahoma City with five assists and no rebounds. The Knicks were No. 1 versus point guards when it came rebounds per game in the regular season and second in assists.
Fox recorded 11, 8, and 9 rebounds and assists in three meetings versus the Knicks this season. I like Fox to go Under 10 combined rebounds and assists in Game 1.
Pick: De'Aaron Fox Under 9.5 Rebounds and Assists (1 unit)
Josh Hart O/U 1.5 Made Three-Pointers
Versus Cleveland, Josh Hart was left wide open from distance as part of the Cavaliers game plan. There is no telling if San Antonio will play it the same way, but I'd expect the Spurs to have a different idea. Outside of Hart's 5-for-11 three-point night in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals, Hart went 4-of-15 (26.%) in the other three games.
In the playoffs, Hart is 10-4 to the Under on a 1.5 three-point prop and went Under in all three Game 1's. He is 3-2 to the Over in the last five games, but the Spurs are top 10 against forwards when it comes to made three-pointers and held the Thunder to 16-of-73 (21.9%) from three in the last two games in San Antonio. I will go Under on Hart from deep for plus-money (+127 odds).
Pick: Josh Hart Under 1.5 Made Three Pointers (1 unit)
NBA Finals Futures Best Bet
Series O/U 5.5 Games Played: Over 5.5 (-170)
Since 2019, five of the seven NBA Finals series have gone six or more games and 15 of the last 26 Finals dating back to 2000. I think the Spurs vs Knicks could be another six or seven game series.
New York won the NBA Cup over San Antonio this season and won two out of three meetings. The two have a familiarity with another and both are riding sky high when it comes to confidence. For San Antonio, they are knocking on the door of greatness and potentially the beginning of a dynasty built throughout the draft, whereas New York has been gearing up for this moment via trades and free agency.
The matchups for this series could be a chess match. OG Anunoby and Karl-Anthony Towns found success against Victor Wembanyama in the regular season, then there's Stephon Castle guarding Jalen Brunson after giving Shai Gilgeous-Alexander problems in the Western Conference Finals. Get your popcorn out because this series could go the distance. I like Over 5.5 Games Played at -170 odds.
Pick: Knicks vs Spurs Over 5.5 Games Played (Risk 2 units)
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Fans who tune in to watch the 2026 NBA Finals on ESPN might notice something a little different before tipoff.
ESPN created seven unique opening segments to precede each game of the San Antonio Spurs vs. New York Knicks series, starting with Game 1 on June 3 (you can watch that video above). The 80-second videos depict different defining moments from NBA Finals history inside the Larry O'Brien Trophy.
This is the ESPN's 24th year broadcasting the NBA Finals, but the first year of the network's new 11-year media rights agreement with the NBA. The opens mark the relaunch of that relationship and celebrate the Finals.
"This was time to reimagine what we have been doing most recently, and I love that we landed here," said Tim Corrigan, ESPN's senior vice president of sports production. "You want to look at teams that are there and respect them for their journey and how they got here, and I think the idea here is introducing that you're part of something even bigger when you do get here and this is the legacy of it."
The Game 1 open features clips of LeBron James’ block of Andre Iguodala in Game 7 of the 2016 Finals and Kevin Garnett’s iconic “Anything’s Possible” moment in addition to Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant. Other legends highlighted are Jerry West, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Julius Erving. More recent moments include the Spurs dynasty, Dwayne Wade celebrating the Miami Heat's first title, Kawhi Leonard celebrating the Toronto Raptors' first title, Nikola Jokic and Giannis Antetokounmpo leading their teams to championships and Steph Curry's dagger 3-pointer against the Celtics.
ESPN had a team of about 20 people working on the opens for the last six months, a process Corrigan described as a "fun NBA history lesson."
"The whole concept of these historic moments, from Bill Russell to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and everybody in between, living inside the trophy, I think we as a group felt like that was the right thought and dynamic," Corrigan said. "It just spoke to us a little bit in the way of, this is what would be inside that world and these are the people and the moments that would live there."
The Game 1 open also includes a globe inside the trophy in recognition of the international players who have made their mark in the NBA, including recent MVPs Gilgeous-Alexander and Jokic.
This year's NBA Finals feature two young faces of the league, Spurs star Victor Wembanyama and Knicks star Jalen Brunson. Corrigan said ESPN intends to incorporate moments from this series into future Finals opens.
"We're going to have our eighth consecutive new NBA champion this year, right?" he said. "So we're looking forward to who will be the next player who joins this piece or what's the next moment that joins this piece."
Corrigan produced the last 18 NBA Finals in his previous role as a senior coordinating producer for ESPN, and oversaw the creation of the opens along with producers Steve Lawrence and Jeremy Anderson and design company MakeMake.
Corrigan said he hopes the opening segments elevate the entire Finals viewing experience and showcase the emotion inherent to the sport.
"When you get a chance to do this, it's so personal and there's images and moments you'll never forget," he said. "Nikola Jokic is holding his daughter as confetti pours down all around him after the Finals. There's just these moments of unbridled joy that happened with all these players because this is what they've worked their lifetime for, to have this moment."
FORT MYERS, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 12: Anthony Seigler #48 of the Boston Red Sox reacts as he takes batting practice during a spring training workout at JetBlue Park at Fenway South on February 12, 2026 in Fort Myers, Florida. (Photo by Maddie Malhotra/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Note: a version of this article was originally published on February 25, 2026.
Who is he and where did he come from?
He’s Anthony Seigler. Do you think the Red Sox don’t have enough infield depth pieces? You’re in luck, because here’s another one.
This particular infield depth piece started 25 games at third base for the playoff-bound Brewers in 2025 after making his MLB debut in July. The 26-year-old lefty from Cartersville, Georgia was a first round draft pick for the Yankees (three picks in front of Triston Casas!) and spent the first five years of his professional career in that organization. The Yankees-Red Sox crossover comps don’t stop there, because he is just the second Navajo player of all-time to make a Major League roster, joining none other than Jacoby Ellsbury.
Is he any good?
Stop me if you’ve heard thus one before: he’s exactly okay. Which is fine! Seigler has not quite found it yet at the plate in his short Major League career, batting just .194 with one extra base hit (a double) in his 62 at-bats. He fared a lot better at Triple-A, slashing .285/.414/.478 in 2025 and then a similarly healthy .295/.425/.471 this year. This is bolstered by his ability to draw walks, as his percentage as a pro approaches 20 percent. He’s patient, quick, and can pull a ball when he does hit it. Check out his Prospect Savant page for this hot chart (minimum 700 pitches seen.)
Clearly, Seigler has more work to do about getting that ball out of the park.
One more thing about Seigler: he’s played all over the diamond, splitting most of his minor league innings between catcher and second base before spending more time at third in 2026. And if that’s not enough versatility for you, he was drafted as a two-way player who also pitches, something that is great in, uhhh, emergency situation. But, I wouldn’t put too much stock in it, as he was only called upon to take the mound once in 2025.
Here’s his first Major League hit. He has a really interesting swing here, as he appears to choke down a little. Which, if you’re hitting well, great! With Seigler, though, you almost wonder if an adjustment is needed.
But believe it or not, Seigler has even cooler highlights than his first Major League hit. That’s because, not only is he a two-way player, he’s a two-way player who throws with both hands:
Debate over Jofra Archer’s absence after his IPL stint and at least one new face in Emilio Gay add to enticing storylines
Lord’s hosts its 150th Test match this week and, like its famous lunch menu, there are plenty of enticing options as regards storylines. England are seeking redemption and refinement, apparently, following that god-awful Ashes winter. New Zealand are both familiar opponents and a tricky first assignment.
There is at least one new face for England, with Emilio Gay confirmed to make his debut at opener after patience with Zak Crawley finally snapped. There is an old one too, with Ollie Robinson back from the cold and set to take the new ball after convincing the management that he is now a committed professional.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 01: Josh Hart #3 of the New York Knicks in action during the fourth quarter of the game against the San Antonio Spurs at Madison Square Garden on March 01, 2026 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The New York Knicks are back in the NBA Finals, taking on the San Antonio Spurs for the first time in 27 years.
With the game inching closer, we spoke with Pounding the Rock contributor Mateo Mayorga to learn more about the Spurs’ current state of affairs going into the matchup.
The Spurs had a tough seven-game series against the Thunder before reaching the Finals. What was the biggest takeaway from the Western Conference Finals?
Stephon Castle’s issue is turnovers, and the offense makes fewer mistakes with him being the secondary playmaker, next to De’Aaron Fox and Dylan Harper. I like Harper more in the lineup with the starters because the defensive ceiling is higher, in part because he’s bigger and stronger.
Who is the Spurs’ X-Factor?
Devin Vassell is their unsung hero. He got a good chunk of the minutes guarding Chet Holmgren in the Western Conference Finals, while making 39.6 percent of 3-pointers (7.6 attempts). He rarely turned the ball over as well. He’s as good as gets for a release valve because he can put the ball on the deck, too.
Does the NBA Cup Final have any weight on this series or is it a new slate?
Not much, so it’s a new slate. The Knicks have been playing differently in the playoffs, and one of the features is using Karl-Anthony Towns more as a playmaker for his teammates, with him more than doubling his playoff assists average. On top of that, Mikal Bridges has been on a heater in his last 11 games, putting more pressure on defenses with his transition work and off-ball movement. The Knicks are much mightier than they were during the Cup.
If the Spurs were to lose Game 1, what would be the reason why?
I could see it happening mainly because Wemby didn’t play enough minutes. There’s also Wemby wanting to sag off to play help defense at the expense of the 3-point line, or if they have a poor defensive game, not being able to stop fouling penetration. This is certain: Towns will make him work harder than Isaiah Hartenstein, Rudy Gobert and Donovan Clingan. Aside, as the playoffs go deeper, coverages get tighter, and those have affected Fox the most because he’s a leaner guy, and he’s probably still feeling a bit of the ankle injury that caused him to miss two games in the WCF.
What’s your prediction for Game 1?
Spurs take first blood. Either Julian Champagnie or Keldon Johnson provide the heavy lifting at a critical time, Knicks offense is forced to come back to earth and San Antonio takes control of the boards.
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - JUNE 02: Julio Rodríguez #44 of the Seattle Mariners leads off first base against the New York Mets during the first inning at T-Mobile Park on June 02, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Nine is a big number.
The Mariners will look to stretch their win streak to nine this afternoon with a third consecutive sweep. At about four games is when I start to consider consecutive wins a streak, though I’d listen to arguments that three or five should be the minimal threshold. But it’s not until now, where eight turns to nine, that I start to really pay attention. There have many eight-game win streaks in franchise history. The ongoing streak is the 13th.
But there have only been seven streaks of nine or more (eight if you want to count the one that spanned 1994 to 1995), with the 2001 Mariners (15) and 2022 Mariners (14) topping the list. A win today and yeah, this is officially one of the best streaks in team history.
George Kirby will get the chance to do it. He was having an impressive, albeit bizarre start to the season, with a 3.23 FIP on the back of a league-leading 57% grounder rate through his first nine starts. His last three, however, have been harder to watch, plagued by homers and whatever alchemy the Royals are performing in Kansas City. This would be as good a time for a classic Kirby bounce back outing as any.
The lineup looks fairly standard. Josh Naylor is back, after spasming is back with a monster homer Monday. Jhonny Pereda will get the start behind the dish after a monster homer Tuesday. And Julio Rodríguez, Cole Young, and Randy Arozarena are still in there, for the 63rd game of the season. The Mariners and the Braves are the only teams with at least three players who have played in every game this season.
In other news, three Mariners prospects (including Wednesday’s nine-hole hitter Colt Emerson) ranked in Baseball America’s Top 100 Prospect List. Emerson (3rd) is joined by Ryan Sloan (7th) and Kade Anderson (9th — there’s that number again) to round out the best, top-level prospect group in the league. For more, Max Ellingsen has you covered.
Lineups
Game Information
First Pitch: 12:40 p.m. PDT
TV:Mariners.TV, with Aaron Goldsmith, Ryon Healy and Angie Mentink
Radio: 710 AM Seattle Sports, with Rick Rizzs and Gary Hill Jr.
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Jon Cooper of the Tampa Bay Lightning has won the Jack Adams Award as the NHL’s coach of the year.
The Lightning announced the honor Wednesday. Cooper finished ahead of Buffalo’s Lindy Ruff and Pittsburgh’s Dan Muse in voting by members of the NHL Broadcasters' Association.
It is the first Jack Adams Award for Cooper, the longest-tenured coach in the league at 13 years. He is widely considered among the best at the profession and has two Stanley Cup rings to show for it.
Cooper led the Lightning into the playoffs despite missing several key players for long stretches because of injuries.
